184 RECORD OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY 



issued by the Society, in May, 1859, and by the following July 2, 500 had 

 been subscribed By the end of 1864, the amount of =5,000 had been reached, 

 and by 1868 the fund consisted of ^6,052 17*. 8& New 3 per cent. 



Annuities. 



Until 1884 the amount remained stationary at a little under X 6,500, but 

 legacies, from the late Sir W. Siemens, of .1,000, and from Mr. Bentham, of 

 about .500, gave it a sensible help. 



In November, 1885, however, a noble offer was made by Sir William 

 (afterwards Lord) Armstrong, to present a sum of about 6,500 to the fund 

 on the understanding that an equal sum should be raised by subscription, 

 and further that the fund might be used in cases of urgent necessity for the 

 remission of the fees of Fellows. 



Although by the beginning of 1887 it was not found possible to raise 

 more than about .4,200 by subscription, Lord Armstrong, in February, 1887, 

 munificently increased his contribution to ^7,800, so that in all ^12,000 

 were added to the fund. Since that date about .800 more have accrued 

 from bequests from Mr. H. B. Brady and others, and from donations. The 

 permanent invested capital of the fund now consists of 



.6,000 London and North- Western Railway 4 per cent. Guaranteed 



Stock ; 

 .7,131 2*. 9d., Great Northern Railway 3 per cent. Debenture Stock ; 



and 

 ,4,340 South-Eastern Railway 5 per cent. Debenture Stock ; 



producing an income of about .670. 



The administration of the fund is entrusted to a committee consisting 

 of ten members, of whom two retire annually, and applications for grants are 

 made through the Presidents of chartered and incorporated scientific societies, 

 under regulations which will be found in the ' Year-book \ 



No. 21. THE SORBY RESEARCH FUND. 



The late Dr. H. C. Sorby, F.R.S., who died in 1908, by his will bequeathed 

 a sum of .15,000 to the Society, to be held in trust for the establishment 

 of a Professorship or Fellowship for original scientific research ; the object 

 being to promote the discovery of new facts, rather than the teaching of 

 what is known. The testator directed that the Fellowship should be 

 associated with the University of Sheffield so long as, in the opinion of 

 the Council of the Royal Society, the University is efficiently equipped in 

 laboratories and appliances. If such efficient equipment is lacking then the 

 income is to be administered in such manner as the Council shall think best 

 for the promotion of original research. 



The scheme for the administration of the fund, and the rules made 

 thereunder in accordance with the directions of the testator, provide that 



